Why is it that when we think about media depictions of Black families we think about trauma?
During this last week, I’ve been thinking a lot about media portrayals of Black families. I was moved by the recent airing of 8:46 Films which showcased four short films that created a broader image of Black life. Each filmmaker was challenged to create a story in the same time it took to murder George Floyd. These storytellers reclaimed our time. Their work inspired me and made me more fully understand that storytelling can be used to create social justice.
In the title of this piece I asked the question, why is it when we think about media depictions of Black families we think about trauma? One answer is that media and creators have been complicit in choosing to portray a one-dimensional view of Black families. Perceptions about Black families are influenced by the news and other media including books, television shows and movies. The stories that are told about us matter.
“Overall, the findings show that news and opinion media outlets routinely and inaccurately portray Black families as sources of social instability in society and portray white families as sources of social stability in society, irrespective of facts to the contrary,” Dr. Travis L. Dixon wrote in the study, A Dangerous Distortion of our Families. These words are evidence of the negative narrative of Black families. I had a feeling that this was true but to read the disparity in how the news reports about us is disheartening. This says to me that there were deliberate decisions made and that there are opportunities to change policy and practice.
But there is hope. Although there are not full representations of Black families in the media, there is an audience that wants to see more diverse stories and creators of those stories. Diversity and inclusion sells. In 2020, online films with greater than 21% minority casts were rated higher among viewers aged 18-49 year of age. If people want diverse stories and voices and it makes financial sense then there are opportunities to change policy and practice
The stories that are told about us matter. This is yet another reason I was so excited to view the films from 8:46 Films. Each film featured stories that explored love, hope, daily life and connection. These are the stories that I recognize in my daily life with my family and friends. Yes, we experience pain and hardship but we are more. These are everyday stories.
There is joy in seeing a broader view of experiences and not solely one of trauma. Not only is it boring to see the same stories. It’s emotionally draining. There are too many instances of feeling my body tense up or my heart racing while watching or reading about the traumatic experiences of the characters on screen or in a book. I want and love good stories. Stories that make me feel seen, make me feel for the character or teach me something new. I want to engage with the media, not be enraged or traumatized. There are opportunities to change policy and practice.
Another exciting opportunity to reclaim our joy is through books. Over the last few weeks, a book called Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood has been talked about in the media, not solely because of the wonderful writers that contributed their poems and stories, but it’s liberation: freedom to tell the stories that are often ignored, a counter-narrative to “trauma dramas” that make people forget our beauty and humanity and showcase our everyday lives. Too often Black males and boys are portrayed as data, non human or broken.This is also true of Black women and girls. We are worthy to be seen and our stories told. We each have a story.
I’ve come to realize and own that I am a storyteller. I have a passion for the power of story and it’s possibility. Whether those stories are on paper, on my smartphone, computer or television, there is opportunity to create and open opportunities for creatives to write, produce, direct, dream and have platforms to share their stories.
There is progress being made although slowly. I want more stories that expand my mind, feed my curiosity, allow me to feel seen and enlightened. I want to be challenged. I want to see the beauty in the ordinary. I want to smile. I want my heart to feel lighter. There is room for all types of stories. There is financial incentive for all types of stories. There is an audience asking for all types of stories.
I am a storyteller and am the founder of a media company that focuses on Black families. I’m intentional in that mission. My goal is that my company tells stories about and for Black families. This past week, reflecting on joy, has helped me find another answer to the question I posed. There aren’t enough storytellers provided the platform and support (financial or publicity) required for success. I’m building the proverbial table for a community that finds the joy in our stories, amplifies creators, and adds to the community of creators that reimagine the stories that are told about us and for us.